ZUNI, N.M. (April 30, 2026) — The gym at Zuni High School filled quickly on the morning of April 17, as families, teachers and students gathered for Shiwi Ts’ana Elementary School’s annual Indigenous Day celebration. On the floor below, rows of children in regalia adjusted headdresses, watched for cues and glanced toward classmates and mentors for reassurance.
The voices of singers Mangaysha Kallestewa and Cyrus Lutse filled the space, and the first group of students entered the arena. One by one, classes from pre-K through sixth grade performed the social dances they had practiced for weeks: Arrow, Basket, Buffalo, Butterfly, Comanche, Corn, Deer, Eagle, Hopi-Harvest, Hopi-Navajo, Horse, Rainbow, Supai and Turkey.
The event marked a key milestone in the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project’s in-school program at STE, which includes the social dance class and ZYEP’s Rooted in Healthy Traditions curriculum. Held in partnership with the Zuni Public School District from March 2 to May 1, the program served approximately 510 students this year.
“STE cannot express enough how much we value our partnership with ZYEP,” said Principal Janis Bowekaty. “We are honored to have this collaboration and are deeply committed to creating more opportunities for our students to experience the songs, dances and mentorship.”
For ZYEP Youth Development Leader Rani Yamutewa, this year’s Indigenous Day performances reflected weeks of growth.
“The overall goal was for the students to build confidence and connection with trying a new dance,” she said. “There were moments where I felt like all of the hard work paid off for the students and for everyone.”
Preparations were intense during the week leading up to Indigenous Day. Staff, singers and school partners spent long days completing regalia, organizing materials and helping students practice, with a full dress rehearsal on April 15.
“As a new member of ZYEP, I got to experience Indigenous Day behind the scenes for the first time,” said Food Sovereignty Leader DeVon Bowekaty. “Seeing the students practice, have fun and learn new dances was a highlight of these past few weeks.”
The weeks leading up to Indigenous Day were meaningful for fellow Food Sovereignty Leader Khass Hattie as well.
“Working alongside Shanell, Rani and DeVon has been an experience that is dear to my heart,” she said. “Having this position allows me to express the discipline, joy and love of participating in our social dances, which also provide important health and social benefits.”
When April 17 finally arrived, Yamutewa described the morning as “controlled chaos.” While ZYEP Art Coordinator Elroy Natachu Jr. and Art Leader Kandis Quam helped dress students at the elementary school, other staff members arrived early at the high school to set up for the event and make last-minute adjustments.
Volunteers—including Zuni High School National Honor Society members and the school’s Zuni language and specials teams—helped line up the classes, fix regalia and distribute necessary hand pieces prior to the performances. That support carried throughout the day, allowing each dance to unfold smoothly.
Before each group took the floor, a prerecorded introduction played on a large projector, featuring one student from each class. The students shared their names, clans, homerooms and Zuni language teachers, grounding the performances in identity and community before the music even began.
Younger children danced alongside older ones, sometimes stepping into multiple roles. One kindergarten student, Kaymon, performed the Turkey dance and was also invited to participate as a hunter in the Buffalo and Deer dances.
“This was our first time experiencing STE’s Indigenous Day,” said his mother, Trinyce. “We were so proud to hear about Kaymon and his lead. He came home so excited.”
For many students, the experience went beyond learning the steps.
“I was so happy dancing,” said a fourth-grader who performed the Butterfly dance. “Dance tells a story about what our ancestors did over the years. I bet my ancestors are proud of me.”
Sixth-graders introduced the Hopi-Harvest dance this year, and the addition quickly became a highlight. One student said it felt great to perform this dance for the first time, sharing, “I danced so hard my legs were hurting!”
The event also included a special performance from STE’s Filipino staff and student community, as well as the coronation of student ambassador Layla Boone.
“I would’ve loved to try a different dance, but I was glad I got to try Deer,” Boone said. “I learned new songs and a new way of dancing.”
While the performances brought the dance portion of ZYEP’s in-school program into focus, they represented just one part of the broader class. Throughout the spring, students also explored Zuni agricultural knowledge, water conservation and plant life through the youth project’s Rooted in Healthy Traditions curriculum.
Hands-on projects connected them to the land and seasons, while reinforcing how traditional practices shape daily life in Zuni. Together, the movement and classroom components of the program gave students multiple ways to engage with culture, identity and wellness.
Physical education teacher Shanell Leekya said the Indigenous Day performances were amazing. While it was a challenge adding sixth grade this year, she noted that preparation and hard work ensured a smooth transition.
“I am thankful for all my colleagues and our partnership with ZYEP to help make this event a success,” she said. “This year I saw more students feeling comfortable with stepping up and performing. It’s always a joy to see the younger students excited to dance.”
“So many of them developed the confidence to step out of their comfort zones to dance and even try singing,” Yamutewa added. “I finally rewatched the livestream performance on YouTube later that evening, and I was in tears.”
“It brought a heartwarming feeling to me,” DeVon Bowekaty said. “When the students dance to the songs that have meaning to our culture, they continue keeping our traditions alive.”
ZYEP’s Rooted in Healthy Traditions and dance curriculums are made possible with support from the New Mexico Department of Health’s Obesity, Nutrition and Physical Activity program.
To learn more about the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and its programs, and for information about making donations, partnering with ZYEP, and volunteering, call (505) 782-8000 or visit zyep.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest news and events, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook (/zuniyouthenrichmentproject), Instagram (@zuniyouthenrichmentproject), YouTube (/ZuniYouth), and TikTok (/zyep09).
Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is dedicated to promoting resilience among Zuni youth so they will grow into strong, healthy adults who are connected with Zuni traditions. ZYEP fulfills its mission by providing positive role models, enriching programs, and nurturing spaces that contribute to the healthy development of Zuni youth. ZYEP strives to provide every child with the encouragement and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
